tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48934561243701114522014-12-17T03:28:44.050-08:00Adonai is Semper FiOccasional thoughts and musings of a military chaplain.Dave Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02437432687237528664noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893456124370111452.post-84144772111858407492012-07-14T04:48:00.001-07:002012-07-14T04:49:44.307-07:00The Jesus Nut<div style="color: white; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"He is </span><span class="hasCaption" style="font-size: large;">before all things, and in him all things hold together."<br /> Colossians 1:17</span></div><div style="color: white; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P2JZBTEmjiA/UAFcWytfoPI/AAAAAAAAAJE/gI97WXjS2Vw/s1600/Jesus+Nut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P2JZBTEmjiA/UAFcWytfoPI/AAAAAAAAAJE/gI97WXjS2Vw/s640/Jesus+Nut.jpg" width="554" /></a></div><div style="color: white; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: white; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: white; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span class="hasCaption">This is a picture of the main rotor retention nut on an AH-1W Cobra helicopter. When properly torqued down, it holds the two main rotors in place. Were it to fail, the rotors would come loose and the aircraft would plummet to the earth. In fact, it is so strong and so secure that the eye on top of the nut can be used to connect a line from which the helicopter can be lifted up and carried wherever it needs to go in the event that it becomes unable to fly on its own.</span><span class="hasCaption"> </span></div><div style="color: white; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: white; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span class="hasCaption" style="font-size: large;">Perhaps not surprisingly, it is also known as the&nbsp;</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span class="hasCaption" style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: white;">"Jesus Nut." </span></span></i></div>Dave Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02437432687237528664noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893456124370111452.post-22282707160603024222012-04-21T20:20:00.004-07:002012-04-21T20:20:40.248-07:00Interesting UpdateSo a few weeks ago I wrote this piece about David &amp; Saul and the lesson of morality in leadership, which was itself taken from an earlier article written by a cop friend in San Diego.<br /><br />Guess what was posted on <a href="http://www.stripes.com/news/navy/do-fired-navy-cos-suffer-from-bathsheba-syndrome-1.171525">the next day's Stars &amp; Stripes front page</a>? <br /><br />The newspaper story refers back to an earlier article, "The Bathsheba Syndrome: The Ethical Failures of Successful Leaders," published in a business journal in 1993.<br /><br />Strange how the Lord works sometimes...Dave Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02437432687237528664noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893456124370111452.post-20609830573593381442012-04-21T18:23:00.000-07:002012-05-20T00:13:31.315-07:00SGT Dennis Weichel - A Hero For TodayIn the last week of March, as I was preparing to return home for two weeks of R&amp;R, our unit received the sad news that Sergeant (then-Specialist) Dennis Weichel was killed in Afghanistan.&nbsp; SGT Weichel was not a member of our unit, but he had been for nearly four years, and a number of folks within our unit knew him personally.&nbsp; Hence I was asked by our battalion commander to prepare and conduct a memorial service for SGT Weichel, to provide a means of closure for those in our unit who were friends of his and who would be unable to attend either the memorial ceremony in Afghanistan or the funeral in Rhode Island.<br /><br />As details surrounding his death emerged, it became clear that this was no ordinary case of a soldier killed in combat or in a training accident - as if even those deaths can be considered "ordinary" for the families so affected.&nbsp; But in SGT Weichel's case, there was a degree of heroism that is not often found on the battlefield.&nbsp; You see, when soldiers fight, they do so not out of some great sense of patriotism or with great knowledge of the tactical importance of their battle.&nbsp; Simply put, they fight for the guy on their right or left.&nbsp; Their buddies.&nbsp; And there is no question in my mind that, were it to come to that, all of them would gives their lives for their buddies.&nbsp; It's happened many times before, and is normally what we award the Medal of Honor for - albeit, usually posthumously.<br /><br />But SGT Weichel didn't give his life for his buddies on that day.&nbsp; Not that he wouldn't have, mind you, but circumstances didn't give him that option.&nbsp; No, on that day he laid down his life to save an 11-year old Afghani girl that he'd probably never met before.<br /><br />You see, his unit was out conducting some training prior to going on patrol that involved shooting their weapons.&nbsp; As they were loading up to leave the range, a number of Afghani children began to scurry about collecting the expended brass which could then be melted down.&nbsp; Some soldiers - Weichel among them - dismounted in order to shoo the kids away and clear a path for the MRAPs - the large, unwieldy mine resistant vehicles that are <i>de rigeur</i> in Afghanistan.&nbsp; As the vehicles began to move, this young Afghani girl darted forward to grab some brass that lay in the roadway, which put her directly in the path of an oncoming MRAP.&nbsp; Without hesitation, SGT Weichel ran to get her out of harm's way - and was instead struck by the oncoming vehicle.<br /><br />Here is the memorial message I gave that evening to honor the memory of SGT Dennis Weichel:<br /><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">There is never an easy way to accept the finality of losing a friend.&nbsp; There are very few things in life which hurt, frustrate, or even anger us in this way.&nbsp; Death is an insult, an aberration, an intrusion into an otherwise mostly happy existence.&nbsp; We get the news – news we cannot affect, news that permanently changes our community, our unit, or our families.&nbsp; Suddenly life seems such a fragile and fleeting thing, for death is always shocking in its finality.&nbsp; And, despite our will to make it otherwise, the pain of death doesn’t go away.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Dennis Weichel passed away in the prime of his life.&nbsp; Quite naturally, the ever-present question on our minds is, “Why should a good man like Dennis be taken from us and from his family so abruptly?”&nbsp; It is a question which I myself ask and which I’m sure many of you are now asking.&nbsp;&nbsp; But to be quite honest, I’m not sure that those of us on this side of eternity can fully answer it.&nbsp; But, although we may not always understand God’s ways, we can be sure that He understands ours.&nbsp; He is present with us in our grief, not as one who stands apart from our mortal world of death and decay, but as a loving Father who knows the deep pain and sorrow of losing a Son.&nbsp; Though death is an inevitable part of this life here on earth, yet it is not the end.&nbsp; For those whose faith is in God never truly die, but live on in eternal life.&nbsp; As we pause and consider our own mortality, there is great hope and comfort to be found in the knowledge that physical death is not the end, but rather the start of a new beginning.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;I never had the privilege of meeting Dennis.&nbsp; I never served with him, laughed with him or swapped stories with him.&nbsp; Despite this, I do know some things about him – things that show that he lived a life of honor and integrity.&nbsp; A life of meaning and purpose.&nbsp; First, he volunteered to serve his country during a time of war.&nbsp; He worked and soldiered for what he believed in.&nbsp; He had already completed one deployment to Iraq, yet he volunteered again to deploy to Afghanistan.&nbsp; To me, this shows the courage of his convictions, and the depth of his commitment to step up when his country needed him.&nbsp; Second, he was dedicated to his family.&nbsp; He loved his three kids, and had planned a special surprise reunion with them that took place just a few months ago.&nbsp; The love he demonstrated to his girlfriend Ashley and to his three beautiful children show that he knew that even a tough infantry “warrior” can still have a tender heart.&nbsp; Finally, the manner in which he gave his life shows the greatest love which we on this earth can demonstrate; for make no mistake – his life was not taken from him, but he willingly sacrificed it to save the life of a child.&nbsp; In the book of John, chapter 15, verse 13, Jesus himself says this, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”&nbsp; Dennis exemplified the noblest ideals of love that day.&nbsp; And while his sacrifice saddens us – for it removes his physical presence from among us – yet at the same time it provides us with something to celebrate.&nbsp; For Dennis left his mark on this world – in the hearts of his friends gathered here today, in his family and children at home, and especially in the life of a young child in a foreign land whose life was spared that day.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">There is a poem, written by Laurence Binyon during the First World War, that aptly depicts the sacrifices of the young men and women who have fallen on the battlefield ever since.&nbsp; It’s titled “For the Fallen.”&nbsp; I would like to read the last few stanzas of that poem to you now:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">They went with songs to the battle, they were young.</span></i><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.</span></i><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,</span></i><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">They fell with their faces to the foe.</span></i><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:</span></i><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.</span></i><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">At the going down of the sun and in the morning,</span></i><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">We will remember them.</span></i></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">In a few hours, Taps will sound its mournful notes over this camp.&nbsp; When it does, pause for a moment and remember Specialist Dennis Weichel.&nbsp; Remember the life that he lived, remember the love that he shared, and remember the sacrifices he made.&nbsp; Remember, and give thanks that we were able to share that life with him.&nbsp; Give thanks that we have such men such as Dennis who serve our country during times of need.&nbsp; Give thanks that he rests now, cradled in the arms of a just and loving God.</span></span>Dave Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02437432687237528664noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893456124370111452.post-69800085750209893712012-03-12T20:08:00.006-07:002012-03-15T06:51:56.339-07:00Moral Leadership<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> 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priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif][if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style=" line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >Today's topic came via a post by my friend Andy Mills and his blog <a href="http://www.devotions4cops.com/">Devotions 4 Cops</a>.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >I want to talk about the importance of moral leadership.<br /><br />We’ve all heard of stories of a lack of moral leadership within the military.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Whether it’s the actions or example of Lt. William Calley and the massacre at My Lai during the Vietnam War, or the Marines – including their platoon commander – who recently urinated on dead Taliban fighters, stories of moral failings are all too common in the military.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> Last year alone, </span>23 Navy COs were removed from command, the vast majority of them for moral failings - primarily "zipper failure."<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style=" line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >But why is moral leadership so important?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As Police Captain Andy Mills states, </span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> 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<w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" 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name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><span style=" line-height: 115%; font-size:100%;" >"We learn to lead from those who lead us. What they model, we often do. Rare is the person of moral conviction who leads through a sense of justice, fairness and gut wrenching honesty. I’m not talking about those who sit back and take pot shots at leaders through cynical negativism. That’s not leadership, that's cowardice."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" > Let me tell you a brief story about leadership and the widespread impact it can have.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In my last post, I shared with you about my friend, Carroll "Lex" LeFon who recently passed away and whose website I visited on a near-daily basis for nearly 7 years.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now, many of us I’m sure have our favorite websites – maybe one where we go to get the latest news or read stories that appeal to our personal interests.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But this site was different.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Largely because of the man who ran it, and who appealed to a great variety of readers through his ability to share his moral beliefs, values and lessons learned without coming across as critical, arrogant or preachy.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style=" line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >As word spread about his death, people from all over the globe started coming to his site to post their remembrances. Soon, there were over 1200 posts on his website eulogizing the man.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What was remarkable was that most of the folks had never met him – they simply knew him from his website and could tell what sort of leader he was by how he wrote and the things he said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>On Friday evening, folks from all corners of the country held impromptu wakes at their favorite Irish pub to lift a glass in memory of Lex.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >Think about that for a minute.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Hundreds of people he had never met were gathering together <span style="font-style: italic;">en masse</span> to commemorate him and the life he led. What made him a great leader?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Among other things, he loved his family, treated people fairly, was willing to listen to other ideas, didn’t hog the spotlight, and treated every member of his command as though they were valuable and had something worthwhile to contribute.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> He lived a moral life, and wasn't afraid to show it or to talk about it.<br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style=" line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >Moral leadership is like that. You can see the result of leadership on units at all levels. In units where there is strong and positive leadership honorable soldiering thrives. Morale is high, regardless of where they are or what they are doing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Where there is poor leadership, you find lack luster performance, personnel issues and sometimes flagrant violations of the rules. The soldiers either don’t understand or don’t care about their mission – it’s just a paycheck.<br /><br />King David learned the hard way about the morality of leadership. Bad behavior was modeled for him and he adapted those same traits at the worst possible time. This story starts in <span style="font-weight: bold;">1 Samuel 18</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As the first king of Israel, King Saul saw David as a threat. The previous chapter tells the story of David &amp; Goliath, and we find that David has become quite popular with the people – so much so that Saul is jealous and wants to get rid of him, because he fears that David is a threat to his power.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Look at this passage:<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-7689"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></sup><span style="font-style: italic;"> Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. </span><span style="font-style: italic;">So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. </span><span style="font-style: italic;">In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. </span><span style="font-style: italic;">When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. </span><span style="font-style: italic;">But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns. </span></span></p><p style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;"> <span style="font-size:100%;">Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the LORD.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” </span></p><p style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;"> <span style="font-size:100%;">But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law?” So when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. </span></p><p style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;"> <span style="font-size:100%;">Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” </span></p><p style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;"> <span style="font-size:100%;">Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’” </span></p><p style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;"> <span style="font-size:100%;">They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.” </span></p><p style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;"> <span style="font-size:100%;">When Saul’s servants told him what David had said, Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. </span></p><p style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;"> <span style="font-size:100%;">When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. </span></p><p style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;"> <span style="font-size:100%;">When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-7706"></sup> Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >Do you see what happens here?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Saul engages in conspiracy to commit murder. Saul had one of his confidants lie to David by saying that Saul wanted him as part of the royal family. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What an honor, right? <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Initially, David refused saying he wasn’t worthy. In reality, he was too poor to come up with the money for the dowry. Saul knew this. So he tells David the price would be 100 foreskins of his enemy (which is a little twisted, if you ask me). That David could do – he was a warrior. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >But Saul’s intent was to get David killed. In verse 17 he says, “I will not raise a hand against him, let the Philistines do that.” And again in verse 25 we are told that “Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Immoral leaders usually have others do their dirty work for them.<br /><br />Now fast-forward ahead a few decades and let’s look at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">2 Samuel 11:</b> </span></p> <p style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"> In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. </span></p><p style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;"> <span style="font-size:100%;">One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (Now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness.) Then she went back home. The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant.” </span></p><p style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;"> <span style="font-size:100%;">So David sent this word to Joab: “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” And Joab sent him to David. When Uriah came to him, David asked him how Joab was, how the soldiers were and how the war was going. Then David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” So Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king was sent after him. But Uriah slept at the entrance to the palace with all his master’s servants and did not go down to his house. </span></p><p style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;"> <span style="font-size:100%;">David was told, “Uriah did not go home.” So he asked Uriah, “Haven’t you just come from a military campaign? Why didn’t you go home?” </span></p><p style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;"> <span style="font-size:100%;">Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my commander Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open country. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!” </span></p><p style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;"> <span style="font-size:100%;">Then David said to him, “Stay here one more day, and tomorrow I will send you back.” So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next. At David’s invitation, he ate and drank with him, and David made him drunk. But in the evening Uriah went out to sleep on his mat among his master’s servants; he did not go home. </span></p><p style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;"> <span style="font-size:100%;">In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. In it he wrote, “Put Uriah out in front where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die.” </span></p><p style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;"> <span style="font-size:100%;">So while Joab had the city under siege, he put Uriah at a place where he knew the strongest defenders were. When the men of the city came out and fought against Joab, some of the men in David’s army fell; moreover, Uriah the Hittite died. </span></p><p style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;"> <span style="font-size:100%;">Joab sent David a full account of the battle. He instructed the messenger: “When you have finished giving the king this account of the battle, the king’s anger may flare up, and he may ask you, ‘Why did you get so close to the city to fight? Didn’t you know they would shoot arrows from the wall? <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-8281">21</sup> Who killed Abimelek son of Jerub-Besheth? Didn’t a woman drop an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died in Thebez? Why did you get so close to the wall?’ If he asks you this, then say to him, ‘Moreover, your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.’” </span></p><p style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;"> <span style="font-size:100%;">The messenger set out, and when he arrived he told David everything Joab had sent him to say. The messenger said to David, “The men overpowered us and came out against us in the open, but we drove them back to the entrance of the city gate. Then the archers shot arrows at your servants from the wall, and some of the king’s men died. Moreover, your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.” </span></p><p style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;"> <span style="font-size:100%;">David told the messenger, “Say this to Joab: ‘Don’t let this upset you; the sword devours one as well as another. Press the attack against the city and destroy it.’ Say this to encourage Joab.” </span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the LORD.</span> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >David is now the king. In the spring when kings go to war, David stayed behind. Why?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>David was no coward – he was a warrior who had proved himself time and time again in battle.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>His troops respected him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The people loved him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So why did he remain behind this time?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Ego. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Self entitlement. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Desire. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Personal passion as opposed to professional excellence. David sees a beautiful woman and used his position and power to seduce her. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He has an affair with her. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She becomes pregnant and now David has a problem to solve. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What would a moral leader do at this point?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style=" line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >So David brings her husband home from war. Uriah the Hittite.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now Uriah wasn’t just any soldier in Israel’s army – we are told that he was one of David’s mighty men.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>One of a short list of 37 individuals who were outstanding in terms of their military prowess.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This was the guy you wanted next to you when the fighting started. In fact, maybe </span><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >Uriah lived so close to the palace because David favored him so highly and wanted to have his bravest soldiers close by in case he needed them – we’ll never know.</span><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" > <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Undoubtedly, David knew this guy – he probably liked him.<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style=" line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >So Uriah gets a message from the king telling him to take a little R&amp;R.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Of course any guy with a beautiful wife coming back from war or a long time away from home wants one thing first, right? But what is Uriah’s response?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He refuses to go home and sleep with his wife because the rest of the army is still in the field; he doesn’t feel worthy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style=" line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >Perhaps David has a pang of conscience at this moment. Maybe he has second thoughts about what he's trying to do here - the deceit he's become involved with. But what is David’s response to such loyalty and dedication?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He invites Uriah to the palace that night, feeds him and gets him drunk hoping this will put them in bed and cover his immorality. Instead Uriah again refuses and wants to go back to the troops.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style=" line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >David has a second chance to put things right, to come clean and confess what has happened. But again, he refuses to do so. Instead, David sends him back to the war with orders to the army commander to put him on the frontlines, in the heaviest of the fighting. And then, when the fighting is fiercest, they were to withdraw from Uriah.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Uriah, the brave and loyal soldier, returns to the frontline unknowingly carrying his own death warrant.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style=" line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >The report comes back - to David's relief and Bathsheba’s grief - that Uriah was killed.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style=" line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >But look what else happens when moral leadership is absent; other people get drawn in to the deception and pay the price for your moral failings.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Joab, the army commander, didn’t question the king’s orders to have one of his best fighters deliberately killed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He just went ahead and carried out the command.<span style=""> If pressed, he probably would've shrugged his shoulders and said, "I was just following orders." Who does that sound like?<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style=" line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-spacerun:yes">But w</span>ho else paid for the king’s sin?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The passage tells us that, in addition to Uriah, some of the king’s men died.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Other soldiers put their lives at risk and some were killed in order to carry out David's plan. How would you feel if you learned that your leaders had planned a foolish frontal assault against an entrenched enemy position for the sole purpose of killing one man who hadn’t done anything wrong, and that other soldiers had also died as a result?<br /><br />David made two huge errors during his kingship.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style=" line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >The first was arrogance.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>His arrogance led him to abandon his place of duty and satisfy his desires immorally.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The second was the desire and willingness to cover his mistakes with more immoral behavior.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The penalty for this was the death of his firstborn son as well as God refusing to allow David the privilege of building the temple.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style=" line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >Now remember the first story about Saul?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Here’s the kicker:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Both behaviors</b> of David were ones he learned from Saul. When the arrogance of leadership got to David, the modeled traits of immoral leadership came flooding to the forefront of his decision making process. He became manipulative and wouldn’t listen to anyone else. His decisions cost him a son and his favor to build God’s temple. Costly mistakes!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >As I examine the leadership I have seen in over 23 years of military service, I realize there are some good traits in most and some moral failures in a few. Some were excellent leaders with vision, clarity and purpose. Others were about personal power, position and self promotion. We've all probably known or seen people like this.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But here’s one thing I do know. When we get arrogant, manipulative or quit listening to loyal friends or subordinates, we’re destined for trouble. We open ourselves up to mistakes that we cannot afford. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">So consider your own leadership style.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">How are you doing with moral issues?</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">In what areas have you become complacent?</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">How do you treat or listen to your friends, subordinates or leaders?</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">What are your motives that drive your actions? If you come up short in some area, what are you doing about it? Confess it to God and pray for His strength to turn away from it and do what is right. You won't regret it.</span><br /></span></p>Dave Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02437432687237528664noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893456124370111452.post-45128067515393137692012-03-09T03:34:00.009-08:002012-03-11T19:31:42.616-07:00Requiescat in Pace<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qv2rtO7qWaY/T11gBU76JzI/AAAAAAAAAIM/-IzrTieCvlE/s1600/NeptunusLex.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 358px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qv2rtO7qWaY/T11gBU76JzI/AAAAAAAAAIM/-IzrTieCvlE/s400/NeptunusLex.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718832677746517810" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />So it was that on late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning I learned of the death of a friend of mine. Retiring after 26 years in the Navy flying F/A-18 Hornets, CAPT Carroll "Lex" LeFon, USN(Ret) had gone to work flying adversary aircraft against student aviators from TOPGUN (one word, all caps, don't ask) school, and was on that day flying an Israeli-made F21 Kfir single engine jet fighter when he crashed upon attempting to land at NAS Fallon, NV.<br /><br />Over at his <a href="http://www.neptunuslex.com/">website</a>, the final post has received over 1000 comments, many of them from folks who never met the man, some of whom - like myself - knew him somewhat from occasional get togethers or email exchanges. But all of us got to know the "humble scribe" primarily through his writings. And boy, could he write.<br /><br />I was first pointed to his website back in 2005, when I was working at Marine Forces, Europe in Stuttgart, Germany. A Navy colleague was a frequent reader, and said I ought to check it out. Lex was, at the time, engaged in writing his multi-part "<a href="http://www.neptunuslex.com/rhythms-the-compendium/">Rhythms</a>" series, about life onboard an aircraft carrier - and from that moment on I was hooked.<br /><br />In the course of things, my own professional aspirations having reached a culmination of sorts, I invited Lex to attend my ordination. He graciously appeared, having dusted off his four-striped uniform, and was among the first to congratulate me once the deed was done. To my somewhat embarrassment and quiet pride, he <a href="http://www.neptunuslex.com/2010/05/27/ordination/">wrote about the event</a> a few days later, tying in my celebration with his own religious wanderings; humbly revealing that he'd not been to church in a long while, yet still believed in Truth, and in what made someone a Christian.<br /><br />As I sit here, still acutely feeling the loss of a man who in reality could not have been more than an acquaintance, I've been pondering why exactly I feel the way I do, and why my feelings are shared with nearly a thousand other souls, who grieve for much more than losing something to read with their morning coffee. Here's what I've come up with:<br /><br />For over eight years, Lex shared himself through his gifted writings. He revealed to us his <a href="http://www.neptunuslex.com/2003/10/22/beliefs/">beliefs</a> and his struggles with <a href="http://www.neptunuslex.com/2003/12/11/on-faith/">faith</a>; his paternal <a href="http://www.neptunuslex.com/2011/04/10/the-elephant-in-the-room/">fears</a> about his daughter and his unmatched pride in his <a href="http://www.neptunuslex.com/2011/10/24/the-big-day/">son</a>. He regaled us with <a href="http://www.neptunuslex.com/category/sea-stories/">sea stories</a> - some <a href="http://www.neptunuslex.com/2010/07/07/name-tags/">outright</a> <a href="http://www.neptunuslex.com/2011/06/04/speechifying/">hilarious</a>, others heartbreaking in their <a href="http://www.neptunuslex.com/2004/01/09/the-worst-day-ever/">sadness</a> - political musings, and all manner of various and divers lessons learned about flying, parenting, leadership, etc.<br /><br />We invited him into our (virtual) homes, day after day, year after year, and came to feel as though we knew the man behind the screen. He quoted <a href="http://www.neptunuslex.com/2010/10/30/mad-irish/">Yeats</a> and <a href="http://www.neptunuslex.com/2008/05/14/ulysses/">Tennyson</a>, showing himself to be a true renaissance man, a warrior/poet from a bygone era, and we loved him for it. He was possessed of a keenly analytical mind, and no small measure of intelligence, and he could pick apart social issues and present them in a manner which left some room for debate, yet had his own opinion clearly stamped on top.<br /><br />In fact, it was this engaging debate that kept many of us coming back; for while in other blogs the comments section is almost an afterthought, at "Chez Lex" it was almost sort of an addendum to the regular post. Over the years, I began to recognize the "regulars" who always had something to say, and over time I found my own voice and dared to join in. I was welcomed and encouraged, for it was a very decent fellowship, and Lex worked hard to keep a sort of charitable intercourse going. We would bicker and argue with each other, but nearly always within the bounds of courtesy and camaraderie. Gradually, we coalesced into sort of our own little community, and would occasionally gather together at a <a href="http://www.shakespearepub.com/">local watering hole</a> for to hoist a pint of Guinness (for strength!) and banter back and forth with our good and gracious host.<br /><br />We recognized in him both professional excellence and amazing literary skill, as well as a basic decency that is hard to put into words. He was at once the boss you wished you had, the warrior you would unhesitatingly follow into combat, the wise older brother, and the loving, devoted husband and father that you aspired to be. He could tick off any number of accomplishments: a 26-year Navy career, command of a fighter squadron, XO of TOPGUN school - yet do so in a self-deprecating way, as though he was past the point of pride and arrogance. Not that he wasn't proud of being a strike/fighter pilot, as he would be quick to tell you, but it was just that he had begun to realize that life was full of so much more - that there wasn't time to dwell on past glories because the future held so much more promise.<br /><br />We loved you, Lex. Loved you for your uncompromising pursuit of excellence. For the doubts and fears that you worked through and shared with us. For the profound and open love and admiration you expressed towards your dear wife of nearly three decades and your three beautiful children. For your honest and unsullied love of country and for the folks who served and continue to serve that nation in uniform. For continuing to tackle the hard things, all the while casting a weathered eye about for lessons to be learned and imparted to others. For sharing your wisdom with us and making us better people because of it.<br /><br />Your loss is hard to bear, because we thought we had so much more time to sift through your pearls of wisdom.<br /><br />As hizzoner himself would say, it is to weep.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3U1WjzF8aNI/T1oh1p7-5eI/AAAAAAAAAIA/33tNjO__mM4/s1600/Lex.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 244px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3U1WjzF8aNI/T1oh1p7-5eI/AAAAAAAAAIA/33tNjO__mM4/s320/Lex.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717919882574489058" border="0" /></a>Dave Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02437432687237528664noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893456124370111452.post-19444000171102786022012-03-04T19:49:00.004-08:002012-03-11T13:46:28.987-07:00The True Meaning of Diversity<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:relyonvml/> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> 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semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif][if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="line-height: 115%;">You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”</span></i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >Having just finished Black History Month, and a recent prayer breakfast on this subject, I thought these verses would be especially appropriate this week as we celebrate our diversity within the military community.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >First, what <u>is</u> diversity?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The dictionary definition is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">“<span class="ssens">the condition of having or being composed of differing elements.”</span></i><span class="ssens"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In the military, it means having a diverse – or varied – group of people within our organization.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This is seen not just in race, heritage or gender, but in rank, MOS, experience, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We all contribute to the diversity of our unit in some way.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This benefits us by bringing in a variety of experiences, languages, cultures, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It adds breadth and depth.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >But diversity can be a touchy subject sometimes.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Although for some it means recognizing the many different cultures and ethnicities that make up our American society, and trying to ensure that each has the same opportunities to succeed and excel in their chosen profession, let’s be honest; for others it has negative connotations, and signifies quotas, affirmative action, and methods of "leveling the playing field" which are a sort of reverse discrimination.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This word can have a polarizing effect – for while we all may agree that diversity is a good thing to have in any organization, we may have differences of opinions in how to best implement that goal.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But the goal of diversity is not just to “have diversity.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There must be a purpose, and there must be a standard.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >To me, these verses that Paul wrote to the church in Galatia around 50 A.D. are a prime example of <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">true </span>diversity.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You see, prior to this – prior to Christ’s birth – the Jews were God’s chosen people.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They had received God’s laws from Moses that instructed them on how they were to live, and what they needed to do to live rightly before God.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And for hundreds of years, they were a pretty exclusive club – the keepers of God’s laws, and His representatives to all the rest of the nations around them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You were either born into it as a Jew, or you could marry into it, provided that you converted and agreed to follow all the laws and practices, up to and including circumcision.</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;">But Christ’s death on the cross changed all of that.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now, by God’s grace, the doors have been flung wide open and everyone is invited.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Jesus himself foretold all of this during his ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Look at one of his parables, from Matthew 22:</span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"> </i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;mso-bidi-Times New Roman&quot;font-family:&quot;;" >“J</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;mso-bidi-Times New Roman&quot;font-family:&quot;;" >esus spoke to them again in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. </span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;mso-bidi-Times New Roman&quot;font-family:&quot;;" > “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ </span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;mso-bidi-Times New Roman&quot;font-family:&quot;;" > “But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. </span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;mso-bidi-Times New Roman&quot;font-family:&quot;;" > “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. </span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;mso-bidi-Times New Roman&quot;font-family:&quot;;" > “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless. </span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;mso-bidi-Times New Roman&quot;font-family:&quot;;" > “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ </span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;mso-bidi-Times New Roman&quot;font-family:&quot;;" > “For many are invited, but few are chosen.” </span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >Now in this story, the invitees represent the Jews – they were the ones to whom the personal invitation had been sent by the king himself. The servants represent the prophets, who continually reminded the Jews of their need to repent and turn back to God, and who were often mistreated or killed. And the people on the street? Well, they represent the Gentiles – those like you and me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We may not be the original invitees, but the door has been opened and all are invited to the wedding banquet.<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >But, like I said before, diversity simply for diversity’s sake doesn’t do much.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There has to be a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">purpose</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">intent</i> behind it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In the military, we work to ensure that all citizens who meet the standards have an equal opportunity to serve, to be recognized, and to be promoted – not on the basis of their color, creed or gender – but in spite of it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>To be judged, as Dr. King said, on the content of their character.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As an organization, we want to have the benefit of many ethnicities, languages, cultures, and experiences, but in order to get in you have to be qualified and meet the military standards. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >The same thing is true for the Christian life.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The purpose of opening up the gates of heaven for all is not to meet some sort of divine quota, but because of God’s great love for all his people.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Go look at John 3:16. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s because God so loved <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><u>the world</u></b> that he gave his Son – that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><u>whosoever</u></b> believes might have eternal life.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That is the appeal of the Gospel: it’s not something that is only available to the rich, or to Americans, or to those who give a certain amount of money to the church.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s for everyone. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >But, just like the military, there are standards that must be met.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What is that standard?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Let's look at a few verses:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >Ephesians 2:8-9 says, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”</i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >So the first standard is faith in God; we must believe in God and in who Christ is in order to be saved.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Romans 10:9 tells us that “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”</i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >But then, in Matthew 7:21, Jesus tells us that “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.</i></b>”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >So here we have two seemingly contradictory things – faith and deeds.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Believing and doing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It may seem contradictory, but really the two go hand in hand – they are two sides of the same coin.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The degree to which you <span style="font-weight: bold;">believe </span>something is the degree to which you <span style="font-weight: bold;">act </span>on that belief.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Are you married?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If so, did your job of being a husband or wife stop once you left the altar?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Did you just put a ring on your finger and return to your single life?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Of course not.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >We also know this in the military, because we practice it every day.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We don’t call someone a soldier/sailor/airman or Marine just because they took the oath of office – they have to complete basic training first.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We don’t call someone a pilot, or an infantryman, or a mechanic, or even a chaplain – unless and until they complete their training.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They demonstrate their <i style="font-weight: bold;">commitment</i><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>to the military – to the Army, Navy, </span><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >Air Force, or </span><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >Marines – by going out and doing what they committed to when they first raised their right hand and took that oath.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >So the two go together, and should be inseparable.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Faith is the necessary starting point, which then naturally leads to action. The depth of one's belief can and should be measured by the degree to which they are willing to live out those beliefs in their life. As James says, faith without works is dead.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >So to sum up:</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="line-height:115%">The Kingdom of God is full of diversity</span></b></span><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >; every tribe and nation, every person on earth now has access to God and has been invited to the banquet.</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="line-height:115%">This diversity has a purpose;</span></b></span><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" > that God be glorified by having as many as will receive Him come to a saving knowledge of Him and have eternal life.</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="line-height:115%">This diversity has standards</span></b></span><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >; that we have faith in God and that such faith will necessarily lead to actions in our lives.</span></p>Dave Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02437432687237528664noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893456124370111452.post-11856994710659601942011-11-06T12:48:00.001-08:002012-03-22T23:45:31.714-07:00Answered Prayer<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wmOHaF_fzuA/T2wb9PyGNEI/AAAAAAAAAIY/3bHTsPfhUow/s1600/Final%2Bcolor.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 303px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wmOHaF_fzuA/T2wb9PyGNEI/AAAAAAAAAIY/3bHTsPfhUow/s400/Final%2Bcolor.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722979965503681602" border="0" /></a><br />I know it's been quite sometime since I last updated this blog, but I've been waiting for a series of events to run their course before I gave a general update. Allow me to explain:<br /><br />A few months ago (back in August, I believe), I was training with my California National Guard unit up at Camp Roberts. We had just found out that our anticipated deployment in early 2012 had been canceled, and I was wondering what I would do for full-time employment. Our battalion XO recommended that I check out the "Tour of Duty" website, where all Guard/Reserve job openings are posted. I did, and lo and behold there was one vacancy for a chaplain to deploy - with a unit from the Rhode Island National Guard. I immediately informed my Brigade Chaplain of this opportunity, and was told to "go for it."<br /><br />When I called to get more information, I was told that the Battalion Commander was interviewing prospective chaplains to determine who he would want to take with him. A few days later, the commander called me and asked me if I wanted to apply for the position. When I told him yes, we went through a short interview and he said he would get back to me the next day with his decision. Tamara and I prayed about it that night, asking that if it was God's will for me to take this job that he would grant me favor in the sight of this commander and be offered the position.<br /><br />The next morning the commander called me back and said that he had selected me to fill the available chaplain's billet and accompany them on their deployment!<br /><br />So far, it seemed that God had answered our prayers and all that remained was to get out to Rhode Island and deploy with his unit, right? Wrong.<br /><br />When I called my current battalion commander about this opportunity, he was very favorably disposed to letting me go, but said that it was up to his boss - the brigade commander. The brigade commander said I could go, but only if I could backfill my position - something that our state chaplain would have to do. When I called our state chaplain, I was surprised to find that he was unwilling to let me go; apparently, there is a chronic shortage of qualified chaplains in the California Guard and he was not about to let one go voluntarily, no matter how pressing my financial need was to find a job. The only way he would let me go was if I found a full-time job in another state, which would necessitate an interstate transfer. The only problem was that I didn't know anyone in Rhode Island and certainly didn't have any job prospects in New England!<br /><br />A day or two later I was talking to my dad about all this, and he agreed that the only way I could go with this unit was if I was able to find a job in New England and do an interstate transfer. He remembered that our old pastor at the Virginia Beach Community Chapel - Dr. Harold Burchett - was living in Rhode Island, and did I want him to call and see what he could do? This set in motion a chain of events which resulted in a church in Attleboro, MA offering to create a position for me as their Military Ministry Coordinator - which would allow me to present my state chaplain with a letter of employment. This in turn would require California to release me to the National Guard unit of my choosing - which, naturally, would be the deploying Rhode Island unit.<br /><br />After coordinating with the battalion commander and senior chaplains in Rhode Island, I moved out here on October 12th to get settled in to the area and begin working with the unit. However, my transfer was delayed due to some administrative issues. Finally, the paperwork came through last week and I was released from California and officially attached to Rhode Island. My new unit is already in the process of cutting me orders for the remainder of November and ensuring that I get paid for the weeks in October that I was out here.<br /><br />As it stands now, our unit will get mobilized on November 27th, and will spend nearly two months training at Ft. Hood, TX before flying over to Kuwait. We'll be stationed at Udairi Army Airfield in Kuwait for nine months, and then will return to RI for about a month of redeployment training before being demobilized.<br /><br />Thanks to all of you for your continued prayers and financial support during this time. Tamara and I have shared the conviction that this deployment was something that God was opening up for us, but it has been both a financial challenge and a test of our faith to wait for everything to line up in the right order. Praise God that He has brought us through all of these hurdles and that I am now able to begin ministering on a full-time basis to the men and women of the 1st Battalion, 126th Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), or 1-126th AVN (GSAB).<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6sj3qyfcWxI/TrcAlecdOxI/AAAAAAAAAHo/teAo62JiTlk/s1600/66AVNbde.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 116px; height: 174px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6sj3qyfcWxI/TrcAlecdOxI/AAAAAAAAAHo/teAo62JiTlk/s320/66AVNbde.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672002899524008722" border="0" /></a>Dave Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02437432687237528664noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893456124370111452.post-73123444854241089722011-09-22T01:31:00.000-07:002011-11-06T12:48:23.685-08:00Finding God's WillI've recently had a series of experiences (still ongoing, at this point) that have caused me to wonder how one goes about finding God's will for any given event. Here's what I've come up with so far:<br /><br />1) <span style="font-weight: bold;">What does Scripture say? </span> Obviously, if what you're considering and/or doing violates a Biblical principle, then this is where it ends. You're not having trouble <span style="font-style: italic;">finding </span>God's will, you're having trouble <span style="font-style: italic;">obeying </span>God's will.<br /><br />2) <span style="font-weight: bold;">How do I feel about it? </span> Now, I'm not saying that feelings are the end all/be all determining factor when it comes to decision-making, but God did include them as part of our makeup, so it's probably not wise to exclude them altogether. The bottom line is, is this something that's just a passing fancy, or is it something that keeps coming to mind over and over again? If it's the latter, it might be something that God has put on your heart, so you need to take it to the next level.<br /><br />3) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Seek Christian counsel. </span>Go to several wise Christian friends whose opinions you trust and share with them what's on your heart. I'm fortunate to have several Christian brothers who can provide that for me, but it could be anyone. Your pastor. Your small group leader. Heck, even your mom &amp; dad, if you want. The point is to get a variety of other people's unbiased opinions so that they can help point out if the heartburn you have is from God lighting a fire in you or from a bad slice of pizza last night.<br /><br />4) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Begin pursuing your path. </span> If you've followed the previous three steps, and you still have a green light, then I'd say it's time to start following that path. Take it slow, and remember to leave room for God to either open or close the door whenever He wants.<br /><br />5) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Keep an "open hand." </span> Too often, once we begin following a certain path, our natural impulse to control events causes us to try to predict a certain timeline and/or outcome for when/how things should turn out. We begin to tighten our grip, and as a result we take it out of God's hands and try to "finish the job" through our own efforts. Resist this temptation. Allow God to work things out according to<span style="font-style: italic;"> His </span>timing - not yours.Dave Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02437432687237528664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893456124370111452.post-7545673473175218012011-06-20T00:18:00.000-07:002011-06-20T01:09:41.875-07:00Lessons from JonahFrom Jonah 4:5-11:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. Then the LORD God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.” </span><p style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” </p><p style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">“It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.” </p><p><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">But the LORD said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”</span><br /></p><p>In my last post I shared about how I had finally passed the accession interview and was approved for immediate appointment as a chaplain, thus reaching a goal I have been faithfully pursuing for the past seven years or so. But something happened that day that seemed to overshadow that event and rob me of the joy I should've felt in finally being able to wear the cross. Allow me to explain:</p><p>When I first came into the Guard as a chaplain candidate back in 2008, I was told that upon selection as a chaplain I would be entitled to a $10,000 "accession bonus," since chaplains were/are in short supply. It was an unexpected thing - after all, one does not become a chaplain for the money that's in it - but obviously it was very welcome news. As I neared my goal of finally becoming a chaplain (and as our financial situation was still very precarious), this $10k became kind of a big deal. We had already made plans on how we would use it - nothing extravagant, mind you, but it would go a long way towards paying some outstanding bills and maybe even provide some funds for a much-needed family vacation this summer.</p><p>So it was with no small degree of consternation that I learned that I would not be getting the bonus after all.</p><p>Picture the scenario: I'm sitting in a room with other future officers (doctors &amp; JAG lawyers), having just completed my interview and slightly giddy from the realization that I've *<span style="font-style: italic;">finally</span>* completed the last remaining hurdle to pinning on the cross. All we're waiting on now is for the last interviews to be completed so that we can all go take the oath of office and be sworn into our respective fields. All the other officers are busily signing their paperwork entitling them to various bonuses and loan repayment programs - which must be signed <span style="font-weight: bold;">BEFORE </span>you take the oath, or else you lose your entitlement to any bonus you might be eligible for.</p><p>Suddenly, one of the recruiters enters the room and asks me to step outside for a moment. When I do, he hands me a cell phone and says that someone from the recruiting office needs to speak with me. I take the phone and "Bob" tells me that they don't have the control number they need to qualify me for my bonus. Not only that, but he tells me that I was disapproved for a control number, and that the Incentive Program Manager had determined that I was ineligible for the accession bonus on account of having previously served as a commissioned officer in the Marine Corps.</p><p>I tell him there must be some mistake - I had been promised this bonus for the last three years, by every recruiter I had ever spoken with, none of which had ever mentioned anything about my prior service in the Marines. "I'm sorry," he said, "they shouldn't have promised you that."</p><p>After a few more minutes of futile conversation, I handed the phone back and went back into the room. Gone was the joy I had been experiencing only a few short minutes before, replaced by frustration, anger and indignation. <span style="font-style: italic;">How could they do this to me? That money was mine! Why would they wait until literally the last minute to tell me? How could everyone make promises and give me wrong information for so long and not be held accountable for it?</span></p><p>You know how in the old Peanuts cartoons there were times when Charlie Brown would have a little raincloud over his head, following him around wherever he went? That's about how I felt. And that black cloud hung over my head for the rest of the day as I continued to fume about the money I wouldn't be getting.</p><p>It wasn't until the next day, at my weekly coffee &amp; Bible study with some close friends, that I was actually able to put it in the proper perspective. As I was sharing the situation with these guys, it suddenly dawned on me that I was just like Jonah in the passage above.<br /></p><p>When God caused a plant to grow, Jonah was happy to have the shade. But when it withered, he was angry at God - so angry that he wanted to die! But why was he so angry? I believe it was because he had lost perspective about what was truly important (the salvation of the Ninevites) and instead was overly concerned with his own physical well-being. God rightly chastises Jonah by reminding him that he (Jonah) had nothing to do with the plant's existence - he didn't plant it, water it, or cause it to grow. God did that, and it was God's decision to take it away. What's more important, a plant that shades your head or 120,000 people who don't know the Lord?</p><p>It struck me that I had been more concerned about the $10k bonus than I was about being able to serve as a chaplain. I didn't <span style="font-style: italic;">earn </span>that money - I didn't work for it, invest it, and cause it to grow. Yet I was angry when it was taken away from me. Instead of rejoicing over my newly approved commission to minister to soldiers in ways that would have eternal significance, I was focusing all of my attention on something that is temporary, material and fleeting.</p><p style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">I was Jonah.</p><p>We don't know how the story ends with Jonah. We don't know if God's gentle rebuke caused him to have a change of heart or whether he continued to nurse his hurt feelings (and scorched head). But I do know what happened in my heart that day: I ceased to be angry about not getting the bonus. I rediscovered the joy of finally being commissioned to do God's work as a chaplain.</p><p>So what things are there in your life that is causing you to lose focus on what's really important? There's probably quite a list to choose from, but I'll bet that if you examine them they pale in comparison to what we should be concerned about - serving God with the gifts He has given us to the utmost of our abilities. Don't waste your time and consume your thoughts and energy by focusing <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">outward </span>on temporary, earthly things. Money. Promotions. Possessions. Status. Turn your attention <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">upward </span>and let God remind you of what He has for you to do, because THAT is what's truly of lasting importance.<br /></p>Dave Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02437432687237528664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893456124370111452.post-48460196304129758732011-06-17T03:39:00.000-07:002011-06-17T04:00:06.943-07:00At Last!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6A-Sb9ZfwD4/Tfsxt3YLYLI/AAAAAAAAAHg/vEYD2rmNMzQ/s1600/H-14098SL.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6A-Sb9ZfwD4/Tfsxt3YLYLI/AAAAAAAAAHg/vEYD2rmNMzQ/s320/H-14098SL.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619139624104059058" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am officially a chaplain in the California Army National Guard!</span><br /></div><br />Thursday afternoon I attended the Federal Recognition Board to determine whether or not I would be selected to become a chaplain. It was supposed to be a video teleconference (VTC), but somehow they were having connectivity problems, so it ended up being a phone conversation between me and several board members. They asked about my prior service in the Marines, and whether or not I understood what would be expected of me as a chaplain. They also asked about how I would support Army policies that I might find offensive or contrary to my beliefs (such as the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"). Finally, they asked where I saw myself ten years from now. Apparently, my answers must've been satisfactory, for I was told that they thought I had what it takes and they were pleased to inform me that they were recommending me for immediate accession as a chaplain! <span style="font-weight: bold;">Woo-hoo!</span><br /><br />I must say, it's been quite a long time coming - and I'm nowhere near the end of my journey. But this is a pretty significant milestone and I'm thrilled that I can finally wear the cross and call myself "Chaplain Harvey" now.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Adonai is Semper Fi!</span>Dave Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02437432687237528664noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893456124370111452.post-61094783418869827102011-05-25T20:19:00.000-07:002011-06-04T02:37:29.338-07:00My God Shall Supply All Thy Needs, Part IISo I've been pursuing this internship thing with our local church, but at a meeting last week with the Executive Pastor, it became clear that it would not work out. I won't go into all the details, but the bottom line is that they can't pay me for the work I would do, and aren't really set up to allow me to raise support through their missions program.<br /><br />This was a bit of a setback, and again, not exactly what I was expecting. But God does not lead us down blind alleys and then simply abandon us - He always has a plan.<br /><br />Today I had the privilege of attending the change of command ceremony for the Recruit Training Regiment at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), San Diego. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2po0ez9FdP0/Ten8bzvNmsI/AAAAAAAAAHY/FluQ6jHg_JI/s1600/Col%2BLee.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2po0ez9FdP0/Ten8bzvNmsI/AAAAAAAAAHY/FluQ6jHg_JI/s320/Col%2BLee.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614295965168933570" /></a>An old friend of mine, Col. Mike Lee, was taking command, and I had been invited to attend. I had previously worked with Col. Lee back in Germany in 2004-05, and considered him one of the finest Marines I had had the opportunity to work with in all my years as a Marine.<br /><br />As we were standing around waiting for the ceremony to begin, I spied a Navy chaplain standing nearby. He was wearing the Marine service uniform, so I knew he had to be assigned to a Marine command. As it turns out, he is the regimental chaplain - so Col. Lee will be his new boss. As we began talking, something in his mannerisms seemed familiar, and I told him that I thought I knew him from somewhere. As military folk have done for ages, we went back through all the commands we had served at, looking for some common ground. Finally, he said that he had served with the 1st Marine Division back in the late 90's. When I asked which unit, he replied, "1st Battalion, 11th Marines." My old unit! I had been assigned to 1/11 from 1995-1999, and he had been my battalion chaplain during part of that time!<br /><br />Though we didn't have too much time to talk then, I got his contact information and called him later that evening. I explained where I was in regards to the chaplaincy with the National Guard, and then asked him what he would do if he had an "extra" chaplain at MCRD - could he find a place to use them on a full-time basis? He replied by listing several commands that were understaffed - mainly the med hold units where injured recruits go to recover and rehabilitate from injuries or illnesses. He said there were lots of opportunities for ministries, and that it would be no problem to find real chaplain work for an interested individual.<br /><br />The only downside is the money. Since there's no "official" position open, my work there would be on a voluntary basis - they can't hire me as a chaplain. Working there could count as drills for the National Guard, but my unit up in LA would have to agree to pay for it - which I doubt they would do on a full-time basis. So, what I may end up doing is partnering with a parachurch organization (like the Navigators) and seeing if they will sponsor me for this ministry - even if it means I have to raise my own support.<br /><br />So that's where it stands now. The Lord has brought together two individuals in key positions that I have prior relationships with, and has opened the door to a crucial ministry where I can serve to my heart's content. I can start as soon as I'm officially recognized as a chaplain by the National Guard (which should take place on June 19th), so in the next few weeks I'll be contacting various organizations to see about serving with them.<br /><br />Please keep us in your prayers regarding all of this. Tamara and I both feel that this is a "Divine appointment," but it's always easy to be anxious about things, esp. when it comes to finances. Please pray that He will continue to open doors so that I can provide for my family even as I seek to minister to the Marines.Dave Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02437432687237528664noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893456124370111452.post-51731868230373109942011-04-17T19:37:00.000-07:002011-04-22T02:59:46.247-07:00Progression of Spiritual Thought‎1. I am aware of my weaknesses & inadequacies, so I turn to God.<br /><br />2. I am aware of my weaknesses & inadequacies, so I ask God to help me. I may not overcome them, but I am reassured by His presence.<br /><br />3. I am aware of my weaknesses & inadequacies, so I ask God for strength. I may barely overcome them, but feel that He is helping me.<br /><br />4. I am aware of my weaknesses & inadequacies, so I let God become my strength. He inhabits me with His own courage, firmness and power. I revel in my own weakness and laugh at obstacles because He is in me and He is the one who overcomes them.Dave Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02437432687237528664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893456124370111452.post-826143875672189642011-04-05T21:48:00.000-07:002011-04-05T22:24:25.963-07:00My God Shall Supply All Thy NeedsI see that it's been some months since I last posted, and that's ok. I know that other people post all sorts of relevant topical posts on the latest political happenings, but that's not my bag, baby.<br /><br />However, as I see God's hand at work and/or experience some revelation or confluence of events that I simply can't keep to myself, I post it on here. Hopefully, it will edify those who read it in addition to serving as a "road map" of my journey with Christ.<br /><br />That being said, here's the latest:<br /><br />Several weeks ago, I applied for a pastoral internship at a local church. They had an established program and were looking for a good candidate to serve a one-year internship - I thought it sounded perfect and that I would be a natural fit for the job. The only problem was that I didn't get hired.<br /><br />Despite my disappointment, I continued to think about that possibility - if this church didn't need me in that role, perhaps there was another church nearby who would have a similar need and where I might serve in some capacity. So, a few weeks later we found ourselves attending North Coast Calvary Chapel, a place where Tamara attended some years back, and where a number of our friends are currently attending.<br /><br />After the service, I was perusing the tables outside that had information on all the various ministries the church has to offer. Of course, I was immediately drawn to the military outreach section, maybe because they had a small Marine Corps flag displayed on the table. There I met Jack & Nina Baugh, the coordinators for the military support network. Nina immediately pegged me for a Marine (the haircut always gives it away), and began to learn my story. As we were talking, a young couple approached and she excused herself to speak with them. As I stood and listened, I learned that the young man was a new Marine, had recently been married, had a young month-old son, and was due to deploy at the end of the year. My heart immediately went out to this young family - so many "new" things going on in their lives, and they were about to face the stress and pressure of a deployment in the near future. They told Nina that they were interested in getting involved in a small group Bible study, and she left to go get the small groups pastor. He came over and told them that they didn't have a military small group at the moment, as they currently had no one to lead such a group.<br /><br />That was when I felt the Holy Spirit giving me a nudge.<br /><br />So, like Isaiah, I said "Here I am, send me!" Well, maybe not those exact words - but something like that. It was just the opportunity I was looking for, and I couldn't pass it up.<br /><br />One thing led to another, and in the two weeks since then I've met with several of the pastors about getting involved with the military ministry at the church. I'll be leading a small group study for military folks, and will more than likely be involved in their outreach program at Camp Pendleton in some capacity. I don't know yet how it will all play out, but have this wonderful feeling that God is at work and is leading us here to serve Him here in some capacity.<br /><br />To be sure, this is not the path I envisioned for us years or even months ago. I had thought that I was going to be a Navy chaplain and would serve in that capacity until I eventually retired sometime down the road. Don't get me wrong - I still feel that the chaplaincy is an open door, but not that it's what I should be striving for right now. For now, I need to serve Him in whatever capacity I can WHERE I AM RIGHT NOW, and let the future take care of itself. When the time is right, I'll happily walk through that door and put on the Navy uniform.<br /><br />Of course, our finances continue to be an ongoing concern, but God has been faithful there as well. Matthew 6:31-33 tells us:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, <span style="font-style:italic;">and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.</span> But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."</span><br /><br />What this tells me is that my primary mission is not seeking a job, or seeking financial well-being; it's seeking the Kingdom of God. He knows our needs, and has not led us all the way down this path only to drop us off a cliff. Of course, it's one thing to preach this message on a Sunday, and quite another when it's your own family at risk, and there are days when the doubt creeps in and I get scared and anxious about what the future holds for us. But over and over again I find myself falling back on God's promise. If He is in me, if He is my strength, then I cannot fail - for that would mean that God would fail. <br /><br />And one thing I know is that God does not fail.Dave Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02437432687237528664noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893456124370111452.post-85398172599767783982010-11-02T15:19:00.000-07:002010-11-02T15:45:26.435-07:00Facing DisappointmentWell, I finally had a chance to appear before the Navy's CARE (Chaplain Appointment Retention and Advisory) board last Thursday out in Washington DC. Sat before a panel of 6 senior chaplains and one line officer and answered a series of questions relating to my military service, ministry experience, views on the chaplaincy, etc. One of the last questions I was asked was "If you are not selected by this board, what will you do?" I answered that I would continue to seek appointment as a chaplain - whether in the Army or National Guard - because I feel strongly that the Lord has called me to this ministry. If the military door was irrevocably closed, I would likely pursue a career as a hospital or prison chaplain.<br /><br />Well, it seems as though that answer is now being put to the test, as my chaplain recruiter called today to inform me that my name was not on the list of those recommended for active duty by the CARE board. Although I've heard no specific reason for their recommendation, my hunch is that it is related to my ministry experience, or lack thereof. You see, the military wants its chaplains to have a minimum of two years of full-time experience - preferably post-graduate - and I have to admit that I barely meet that requirement. Even though I've been an associate pastor at my church for the last two years, it appears that they don't consider that as being "full-time" enough, and would like to see more post-graduate work.<br /><br />Of course, this is disappointing news for a number of reasons. First, this is what we've been aiming for for the last several years, so getting turned down now means that plans must be shelved and priorities rearranged, not to mention the fact that I must now find some other means of full-time employment. Second, it's frustrating to have come so far in the process only to be told that you're not quite there and that you need more time & experience. Finally, there's a tendency towards self-doubt; a wondering if maybe I've been pursuing this for my own reasons and maybe have misinterpreted God's directions for me in this matter.<br /><br />On the other hand, we know that God is in control of all things, and that nothing happens that is a surprise to Him. We still trust in the message of Jeremiah 29:11: <span style="font-weight:bold;">"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />So what does this mean for us now? Well, after talking with Tamara we've decided to go ahead and pursue appointment as a National Guard chaplain. Not only will this allow me to stay engaged with the military ministry, but there's a distinct possibility that I can/will be deployed with them in the next year or so, which would go a long way towards meeting the "experience" part of the equation. Hopefully, in another year or so I can reapply for the Navy and go from there, but for now we're just committed to seeing where God can use us best in the meantime.<br /><br />Still resting in His hands.<br />Adonai is STILL Semper Fi.Dave Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02437432687237528664noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893456124370111452.post-29528604658850505242010-08-14T12:58:00.000-07:002010-08-14T13:14:36.384-07:00Physical FitnessSoon after I started this blog, I was in a bad motorcycle accident that left me with a broken right ankle and badly shattered left wrist. I endured two surgeries, and many months of therapy to regain use of both limbs. For most of 2009, I was unable to do much physical exercise, as it hurt to run for any distance and my wrist wasn't strong enough for lifting weights.<br /><br />Originally, my surgeon had told me that he thought I'd never be able to do pushups again, as the flexibility and joint stress needed to perform that exercise would probably be gone. I set out to prove him wrong.<br /><br />I persisted at doing as many as I could manage - even if it was only 4 or 5 at a time while on my knees. Eventually, I worked my way up to 20, then 25. It hurt my wrist some, but not badly, and I knew that the bones were strong enough to handle it.<br /><br />Running was another story. Every time I would go for a jog, I would get about 1/2 mile and then end up limping on my bad ankle. Instead, I began to use the elliptical machine at our gym, which allows you to run in a non-impact way. With Tamara's encouragement, I also enrolled in the "Boot Camp" class at our gym, which provides a solid cardio workout, which I desperately needed. I even did CrossFit for a few weeks, though it's a bit more expensive and I didn't have as much time to devote to it as I would have liked.<br /><br />Then I came out here to Ft Jackson for their chaplain school. A week after I arrived, we had our first "diagnostic" Physical Fitness Test (PFT). I had a waiver for the 2-mile run portion, but had to do the pushups and situps. For my age, 34 pushups and 38 situps are considered a passing score. The situps were no problem, but my grader only counted 25 pushups - apparently, he thought that I wasn't going down low enough, despite the fact that my chest was touching the ground on each repetition.<br /><br />Last Wednesday, we took the PFT again - this time for score. And, I'm proud to say, I did much better this time. 45 pushups, 60 situps, and a 2-mile run in 16:57. I didn't know how I would do on the run, and even though an 8:30 mile pace isn't too fast, it's much better than I thought I would do, considering that I haven't run in such a long time.<br /><br />Praise God for allowing my body to recover to such a degree, and for continuing to provide me with the strength and stamina to push myself. I'm not yet where I want to be physically (who is?), but it's great to see some positive improvements in that direction.Dave Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02437432687237528664noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893456124370111452.post-89601583240623674412010-08-08T18:42:00.001-07:002010-08-14T12:56:59.261-07:00Navy Chaplaincy updateSo, here I am sitting at Fort Jackson, SC finishing up the Army's Chaplain Basic Officer Leaders Course (or CH-BOLC). It seems somewhat strange to be going through the Army's course when my sights are set on becoming a Navy chaplain.<br /><br />I arrived out here on 17 July, having sent off my Navy chaplaincy packet a few days earlier. I knew that they had another Navy Chaplain Basic Course (NCBC) starting up in mid-September, but didn't know if they would require me to do the 5-week Officer Development School (ODS) as a prerequisite, or if they would waive it in light of my 16 years of experience as both a Marine Corps and Army officer.<br /><br />A few weeks after arriving, I met the CO of the Navy's chaplain school, CAPT Langston. He's a chaplain, but was a Marine infantry officer for 7 years prior to putting on the cross. All of the services now have their chaplain schools co-located here at Ft Jackson, so I was able to ask him about ODS and switching over to the Navy. He told me to make an appointment to see him in a few days, and he would have some answers for me.<br /><br />When I came back a few days later, he informed me that I <span style="font-weight:bold;">would </span>have to attend ODS, as only former Navy officers - or those Marine officers who attended the Naval Academy - can get a pass on going through the course. Then he dropped a bombshell by saying that if I wanted, he could get me into the next ODS class (starting in 10 days!) and then back down here for the NCBC class in September! To say that I was surprised would be a vast understatement, but I quickly agreed. I quickly began informing my Army chain of command of my intent, which was met with some good-natured jabs, but mostly with an understanding that this is what the Lord has called me to do.<br /><br />A couple of days later, as I was following up on this new course of action, I was informed that the Navy had used up all its quotas for active duty chaplains, so there was no way I could be accessioned by the board this fiscal year. So, now I'm basically back to where I was before. My packet is all set to go before the board, but now it will have to wait until October, when the new fiscal year begins. Assuming I'm accepted by them, I'll be commissioned in mid-October, then will have to wait until early January 2011 to go to ODS, and then on to NCBC in February. After I complete NCBC I'll be assigned to a fleet unit - hopefully with a Marine battalion somewhere.<br /><br />In the meantime, I'm somewhat relieved to not have to jump through a series of hoops in a short period of time, and glad that I can stay here and finish the class with the friends I've made. And, since the armed forces is moving toward ever more joint operations, I'm sure that I'll be seeing some of my classmates down the road at some point. And with two chaplain schools under my belt, I'll be about the best-trained chaplain out there!Dave Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02437432687237528664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893456124370111452.post-73962133568931822682010-08-08T18:15:00.000-07:002010-08-08T18:41:24.707-07:00Ordination + Graduation = Celebration!I realize that this post is horribly out of date - that the events listed occurred several months back. In my defense, I must offer up the fact that I have been extremely busy over that time with making sure that these events were in fact going to occur, and have been diligently preparing for the life changes that will come about as a result.<br /><br />That said, here's the skinny:<br /><br />On May 22nd, an Ordination Council was convened at our church. I was fortunate to be able to select those individuals who would play a part, and so had a number of good friends there to evaluate me on my capabilities. I had prepared my Statement of Faith well beforehand, and a copy was given to the 12 council members. Then, for the next 3 hours, we went page by page through my statement, pausing after each section for them to ask questions of me. Somewhat surprisingly, there was not much in the way of doctrinal questions, as most of the queries involved the practical application of what I professed to real world situations. I have to admit, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, as talking about what I believe comes naturally to me.<br /><br />After the questions were through, Tamara & I were sent out while the council deliberated and then voted. We were called back in a short while later to find that the vote had been unanimous - I was to be ordained as a minister in the Baptist General Conference!<br /><br />Several days later, on May 26th (also my anniversary), I was officially ordained during the evening service at our church. Our pastor, Craig Harrison, explained the process of ordination and then called me up on stage to interview me. After this, I was given the mike and made some remarks of my own before being presented with my certificate. One of the most powerful parts of the ceremony came after this, when family and friends came up on stage to lay hands on Tamara and me and pray for our future ministry.<br /><br />As thrilling as the ordination was, I was still busy with school and with finishing up my final round of classes. Those of you who know me know about the trials and tribulations that have come with my attempts to learn Greek, and this final quarter was no exception. I was in the middle of Intermediate Greek and it seemed as though I was just keeping my head above water. I eventually took my final exam, and even though I didn't score very well (I think I got a 55%), it was enough to earn me a C- for the course. Not one of my better grades, but as they say, "C's get degrees!"<br /><br />I ended up with a 3.26 GPA, which is much better than I did in college, and no doubt expresses the seriousness with which I am undertaking my new profession as a chaplain and minister of God's word.<br /><br />Finally, on June 12th, Bethel Seminary held its commencement exercise at College Avenue Baptist Church in San Diego. My folks flew out for the graduation, as did my oldest brother Tim, which was quite a welcome surprise for us. It was a great feeling of accomplishment, as it was the result of four years of hard work and sacrifice - both in terms of time and finances.<br /><br />The day after graduation Tamara & I left for a well-deserved vacation while Mom & Dad willingly looked after Rachel & Dash. We took the train up to Santa Barbara and spent several days up there relaxing and sightseeing. What a gorgeous area! We had booked our stay at the Doubletree Resort, and due to a minor mishap were offered a free upgrade -- to a ginormous suite overlooking the beach! We were so thrilled with our new accommodations that we had to call back and see if we could have an extra day to enjoy ourselves, which was graciously given.<br /><br />So, May and June will stand out in my memory as transformative months - from student to pastor, from struggles to success. We humbly give God the glory for the great things He has done, and we look forward with eager anticipation to see where He will guide us from here.Dave Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02437432687237528664noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893456124370111452.post-70721850488072783312010-05-14T02:29:00.000-07:002010-05-16T00:26:07.532-07:00Another Answer to PrayerAs some of you may know, we've been struggling with finances over the past several months ever since I was laid off by the <span style="cursor: pointer; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1273829316_0">California National Guard</span> back in October. Thankfully, the Lord has continued to provide for us in unexpected ways so that we have always managed to have enough to meet our needs.<br /><br />One example of that occurred yesterday.<br /><br />Back in October, I had filed for unemployment insurance right away, but was unable to complete the application as I had not yet received my DD214 (discharge papers) from the Guard at that time. The agent told me not to worry, that I could call back when I got them and my claim would be processed with the original filing date. I finally received my DD214 in December, and immediately tried to complete my application - only to be told that they had no record of any previous filing and that my "start date" for benefits would be that day - nearly two months later. I was told that I could appeal their decision, which I did.<br /><br />Other issues came up around Christmas, as several unemployment forms (the first they had sent me) arrived the day after we left for <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1273829316_2">Virginia</span> to spend Christmas with our family. After our return, I dutifully sent in the forms, only to be told that they had arrived after the two-week period had ended, so no benefits were payable for the month of November. When an agent called to find out why I had been late sending them in, I explained that I had been traveling and was unable to receive my mail during that time. Unfortunately, I used the term "vacation," which must've signaled to her that I was either unwilling or unable to look for and/or accept work during the two weeks I was gone. Thus, more appeals had to be filed.<br /><br />What I did not realize was the the unemployment department apparently has a policy not to pay <span style="font-weight: bold;">ANY </span>benefits as long as there is a pending appeal - which meant that I would not receive any money until I could have my day in court and get these matters cleared up. That day finally rolled around on April 27th, and I went down to <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1273829316_3">San Diego</span> to appear before an administrative law judge to present my side of the story on these three separate appeals. After presenting all of my evidence, I was told that a decision would be made and sent to me - but no indication of how soon that would happen.<br /><br />Fast forward to Wednesday night. Tamara and I are getting ready for bed, and are discussing our financial situation and some upcoming bills that need to be paid. Ever the wise woman, she suggests that we take a moment to pray about it. We do - trusting in God to provide for our needs and asking Him to continue to fill our little jar of oil.<br /><br />The next day (yesterday), the mail arrives - and in the pile is a large manila envelope from the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1273829316_4">San Diego Appeals Board</span>. I rip it open and begin to read the documents, soon skipping ahead to the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">DECISION</span> paragraph at the bottom of each appeal. In each of the appeals, the result was the same:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"The department determination is reversed. The claimant is eligible for benefits..." Benefits are payable, provided the claimant is otherwise eligible."</span><br /><br />Now, not only will we begin to receive our monthly benefits, but we will also be receiving all of the moneys owed to us backdated to October 11th - the date that I originally filed the claim. At $1800/mo. x 7 months, that adds up to quite a lot of back pay! More than enough to carry us through until my chaplain school begins in July, and enough to allow us to take care of some car &amp; house repairs that had been put on hold.<br /><br />Please take a moment to thank God with us for his miraculous provision, and for His continued reminder that He cares for us deeply.<br /><br />Adonai <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">IS</span> </span>Semper Fi!!<br /><br />In other news, please keep these dates on your calendar:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">May 22nd</span> - My ordination council meets from 0900-1200.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">May 26th</span> - Ordination Service at Gateway Church at 1900.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">June 12th</span> - <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1273829316_5">Bethel Seminary San Diego </span>graduation at 1000.Dave Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02437432687237528664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893456124370111452.post-47970199244981383762010-04-15T12:42:00.000-07:002010-04-22T00:22:18.293-07:00More Sketches<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ok</span></span>, here's a few more caricatures I've done over the years:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_biXv56YOSWo/S8dsqqODVjI/AAAAAAAAAGU/iWip7g1AHhg/s1600/Col.+Spencer.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_biXv56YOSWo/S8dsqqODVjI/AAAAAAAAAGU/iWip7g1AHhg/s320/Col.+Spencer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460452553353549362" border="0" /></a>This one was done for the retirement of Col. Spencer - a good friend of mine and the leader of the Officer Christian Fellowship at Camp <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Pendleton</span></span> for many years. As you can see, he's leaving the 2-star headquarters where he worked to pursue his love of surfing &amp; fishing. I thought about having him wearing a tropical-themed swimsuit, but decided that that would probably demean the uniform. This was probably the first one I did for an individual, and I think it's probably my best work in terms of what he actually looks like.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_biXv56YOSWo/S8dtyGPFdsI/AAAAAAAAAGc/ayu7jRTxmN4/s1600/Rock+the+Casbah.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_biXv56YOSWo/S8dtyGPFdsI/AAAAAAAAAGc/ayu7jRTxmN4/s320/Rock+the+Casbah.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460453780644787906" border="0" /></a>This one was done for a good buddy of mine, Capt. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Phill</span></span> Bragg. He's now been selected for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Lieutenant Colonel </span>and is the acting Regimental <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">XO</span></span> for 11<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span></span> Marines. Here, he was the CO of Romeo <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Btry</span></span>, 5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">th</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Bn</span></span>, 11<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">th</span></span> Marines and had just returned from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">OIF</span></span>. Note the old-school M198 howitzer (the Marines now use the M777 Light Towed Howitzer) as well as the frosty pint of Guinness (for strength!).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_biXv56YOSWo/S8eyXuYrLCI/AAAAAAAAAGk/PC0hFNCJCJE/s1600/Capt+Cardoza.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_biXv56YOSWo/S8eyXuYrLCI/AAAAAAAAAGk/PC0hFNCJCJE/s320/Capt+Cardoza.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460529193868274722" border="0" /></a>This one was done in Germany for the Staff Judge Advocate at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">MARFOREUR</span>. I think I overdid it on his neck length, though. If you click on the picture and enlarge it you can read the book titles.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_biXv56YOSWo/S8ezLXOe5EI/AAAAAAAAAGs/h9GxAgOWBkk/s1600/Lex.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 244px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_biXv56YOSWo/S8ezLXOe5EI/AAAAAAAAAGs/h9GxAgOWBkk/s320/Lex.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460530081004708930" border="0" /></a>This is one of my favorites, and also the one that took the longest to do. "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Lex</span>" is the host of <a href="http://www.neptunuslex.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Neptunus</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Lex</span></a>, and I've been privileged to meet him on a handful of occasions. When he posted something on his blog about retiring a few years back, I figured that this was the least I could do for him since I had been enjoying his website so much over the years. As it happened, I was able to come to his retirement party at an Irish pub in San Diego and present it to him in person. The toughest part was surreptitiously finding current unit's patch (all the others are on his site) and then getting all the details right, even down to the "piddle pack" behind his ejection seat!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_biXv56YOSWo/S8e1oMwzgOI/AAAAAAAAAG0/nV_NTabafb0/s1600/LtCol+Knowlton.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 246px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_biXv56YOSWo/S8e1oMwzgOI/AAAAAAAAAG0/nV_NTabafb0/s320/LtCol+Knowlton.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460532775435337954" border="0" /></a>This last one is also my most recent, presented just yesterday. Eric <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Knowlton</span> is an old friend of mine - we went through The Basic School together as 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">nd</span> Lieutenants back in 1994-95. While I was going through artillery school at Ft. Sill, I got a request from Eric wondering if some of us would be able to drive down to Dallas to do the sword arch for his wedding. That was the last I'd seen or heard from him until I ran into him at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Miramar</span> PX a few months ago, where I learned that he was the Maintenance Officer for the new V-22 Osprey squadron. Last Friday, I took him up on his offer to show me around and brought the family down to the squadron. Eric was an excellent tour guide, and took us all out to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">flightline</span> and let Rachel and Dash climb up inside one of the Ospreys and look around. He then took us over to the simulator building and let us each take turns "flying" one of them around San Diego. As a token of my appreciation, I drew this for him and presented it to him yesterday afternoon.Dave Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02437432687237528664noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893456124370111452.post-41556481709753258842010-04-15T02:01:00.000-07:002010-04-15T12:20:48.206-07:00SketchesI've always loved to draw. Ever since I was a kid, I would draw whenever I got the chance. Usually, that ended up being in class - where the teachers were none too impressed with my budding artistic talents. Later, I would go on to major in graphic design in college, even though I knew that it would have little bearing on my chosen career as a Marine officer.<br /><br />However, I was soon to discover that everyone appreciates someone who can draw. Even in my profession as an artilleryman, I found that my terrain sketches were admired - not just because of how nice they looked, but because anyone could pick them up and immediately identify the various targets and reference points because they matched the terrain in front of them. Also, I found myself in constant demand to do t-shirts, coins, tattoos, etc. for the various units I was a part of. I even painted a few murals that are still up at Fort Sill and outside the T-Hutte in MARFOREUR headquarters.<br /><br />My first effort into doing caricatures occurred during my second deployment. One of my buddies had asked me to do one of him, and it quickly evolved into a large drawing that involved all of the principal staff and officers in our Battalion Landing Team. It got so popular that people would come by my stateroom to see it and provide suggestions on how I should draw some of their buddies. By the end of the float, everyone wanted a copy, so I ended up going to Kinko's and making a bunch of color copies and then hand-colored each one so it looked pretty close to the original. I then sold 'em for $20 apiece, and I think I made somewhere around $400 or so.<br /><br />Several years later, I began doing these sorts of sketches on an individual basis - either for retirements or end-of-tour gestures. I also did a few on my own of some of the well-known figures in Marine Corps lore. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_biXv56YOSWo/S8bZxxc2qrI/AAAAAAAAAFk/qEx24Nk0Z3s/s1600/4+Chesty.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460291047344482994" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 213px; height: 320px;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_biXv56YOSWo/S8bZxxc2qrI/AAAAAAAAAFk/qEx24Nk0Z3s/s320/4+Chesty.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here's one of legendary Marine Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, 5 time recipient of the Navy Cross:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here's the original source photo that provided the inspiration:<div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_biXv56YOSWo/S8bfZx0F8lI/AAAAAAAAAGM/EIH4GsiI-Mo/s1600/Chesty.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460297232194859602" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px; height: 148px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_biXv56YOSWo/S8bfZx0F8lI/AAAAAAAAAGM/EIH4GsiI-Mo/s200/Chesty.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_biXv56YOSWo/S8bbTJYYtQI/AAAAAAAAAF0/rBNdGmMUQJY/s1600/Chesty.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I also did another one of Major General Smedley Butler, well-known to legions of Marines as being the only officer to ever be awarded two Medals of Honor for two separate acts of valor:<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460294248981794050" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 336px; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_biXv56YOSWo/S8bcsIerDQI/AAAAAAAAAF8/kPhPbZ9P57A/s400/3+Smedley+Butler.jpg" border="0" />Sadly, both of these original drawings have disappeared; probably stuck in some forgotten folder somewhere. Fortunately, I was smart enough to scan them into my computer before they lost themselves in the depths of my file drawer.<br /><br />I guess that's enough for now - I'll post more of them later when I have a bit more time.<br /><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_biXv56YOSWo/S8bZW8HcAuI/AAAAAAAAAFc/hgPNilsFdCg/s1600/4+Chesty.jpg"></a></p></div></div>Dave Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02437432687237528664noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893456124370111452.post-18379964448678781872010-04-08T00:48:00.000-07:002010-04-10T02:31:03.962-07:008 Simple WordsToday I received some rather surprising news.<br /><br />I have a friend whom I've only met but once. He and I frequent the same blog, and over the years we've become "regulars" on there. Several months ago, I received an email from him, asking if I was up for some counseling as he was in need of some help.<br /><br />My reply? "Sure thing - what can I do you for?"<br /><br />8 Simple words.<br /><br />I sent my message back, sent a follow-up email with my phone number in case he wanted to call, and promptly forgot about it. Waited to hear back from him. Never did.<br />I wondered if maybe he'd gotten help somewhere else or had reconsidered his request.<br /><br />Oh well, I thought, I guess I wasn't much help to him.<br /><br />Several months later, I heard from him again, this time expressing gratitude for my help. "What help?" I thought to myself. I didn't <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">do </span>anything - just made an offer, which was apparently declined.<br /><br />Fast forward to yesterday. I was corresponding with him, and casually asked what had been going on that had prompted his original request, and his later expression of thanks.<br /><br />"It was suicide," he told me. "You were there. That was enough. That was just enough."<br /><br />Life and death just an email apart.<br /><br />8 simple words: "Sure thing - what can I do you for?"<br /><br />Sometimes the times where we think we're the least effective turn out to have the biggest impact.<br /><br />No, I didn't <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">do </span>anything. But I was <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">there </span>when he needed someone.<br /><br />And in the end, that was enough.Dave Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02437432687237528664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893456124370111452.post-6604476298173867462010-03-27T23:33:00.000-07:002010-03-27T23:55:51.068-07:00Combat Medical MinistrySo I just spent the last two weeks in San Antonio, at the Brookes Army Medical Center (or BAMC, pronounced "bam-see") which is to be renamed San Antonio Military Medical Center - North (or, you guessed it, SAMMC - or "sam-see"). In a rare cooperative effort between the medical corps and chaplain corps, they run a course for chaplains and their assistants to train us to provide ministry and pastoral care to severely injured patients as well as to their family members.<br /><br />Much of the time was spent in the classroom, learning about trauma, crisis, grief, resiliency, and a host of other things. There were 31 of us in attendance - 18 chaplains and 13 assistants, with a fair mix of genders and ethnicities. Active duty, Reserve and National Guard. Some (like myself) who have yet to pin on the cross, others who were only recently commissioned, and still others who have served for many years and completed several deployments "downrange" in Iraq or Afghanistan.<br /><br />I would love to share some highlights, but am unsure as to what would be appropriate, given both the medical/chaplain confidentiality. Suffice to say that I dealt with patients who had cancer, were burn survivors, were involved in horrific vehicle accidents, or who were dealing with thoughts of death - some by their own hand, other by the ravages of time.<br /><br />It is a precious thing to be with someone in their moment of crisis - to hold their hand as their eyes widen in fear and confusion, to ask if you can pray with them as they eagerly nod, tears forming in their eyes. To finally leave, entrusting their care to the medical staff yet knowing that their life is in the hands of the Almighty. Feeling frustrated that you could not do more, yet knowing that you did your best.<br /><br />I'm not sure that I would choose to be a hospital chaplain - such assignments can have a way of taking their toll on the caregiver - but this course confirmed beyond a shadow of a doubt that the chaplaincy is where I am called to serve.Dave Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02437432687237528664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893456124370111452.post-65898728577996844112010-03-06T00:24:00.000-08:002010-03-06T00:34:01.119-08:00Goin' NavyWell, I'm now in the midst of putting my package together for the Navy chaplaincy. Just stopped by the recruiter's office yesterday to drop off my Application for Commission & my resume so that he can submit my name to be "scrolled," which apparently is some sort of pre-approval for the later commissioning to take place. Can take 2-3 months, so I'm told.<br /><br />I also completed the 18-page SF-86 National Security Questionnaire, which is a very detailed document that requires you to list all residences, jobs, friends, family, etc. for the past 7-10 years. Required in order to receive a security clearance. Finished the whole thing only to find out that it probably isn't going to be necessary, since I had a Single Scope Background Investigation done back 2003 for my Top Secret clearance. Even though the TS clearance expires after 5 years, it then reverts to a Secret clearance for another five - so I should be good through 2013. Still, I wish my recruiter had told me that *before* I filled out the form...<br /><br />Most of the rest of the forms I need depend on someone else - references, recommendations, transcripts, etc. So for now I just have to bide my time and hope that the individuals concerned complete these things in a timely manner. And, I've got enough homework due in the next few weeks to keep me quite busy, thankyouverymuch.<br /><br />Still, it's nice to see things coming together.Dave Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02437432687237528664noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893456124370111452.post-54158197502185621632010-02-18T00:39:00.000-08:002010-02-18T01:03:22.141-08:00Boasting in Weakness<span style="font-size:130%;">Here is a study of II Corinthians 11:15-29 that I preached on this evening:<o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style=";font-family:&quot;;" >Background</span></b></span><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" >: The Corinthian church had been infiltrated by false teachers who were challenging both Paul’s personal integrity and his authority as an apostle. While it’s hard to say exactly who his opponents were, they were very likely Jewish Christians who disagreed with some element of Paul’s teaching and who were attempting to sway the church by discrediting Paul in his absence. They had accused him both of stealing the money they had sent for Jerusalem as well as claiming that his word was untrustworthy.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" >Paul defends himself against these charges, and in the last few chapters of the letter he addresses both the false teachers as well as those who have been led astray by them. Since they apparently are swayed by “outward appearances,” Paul resorts to “boasting,” though clearly this is not his preferred method:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><i><span style=";font-family:&quot;;" >"I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then receive me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool. since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast. You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or pushes himself forward or slaps you in the face. To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that!<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><i><span style=";font-family:&quot;;" >What anyone else dares to boast about - I am speaking as a fool - I also dare to boast about. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles, in danger in the city, in danger in the country in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and i do not inwardly burn?<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><i><span style=";font-family:&quot;;" >If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness."</span></i></b></span><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" >Weakness isn’t exactly a very popular subject – especially here in America. We tend to praise the ones who have overcome some difficulty, who have pulled themselves up by the bootstraps or otherwise made themselves strong. In the Marine Corps, weakness was seen as the enemy – a common slogan at the gym was <b>“Pain is weakness leaving the body.” </b>If you’re watching the Olympics right now, you see young men and women from all over the world who are at the peak of their physical abilities competing to see who is the best. But behind these stories of success and victory, there is often an element of weakness or inability that makes the story more powerful. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" >Drew Brees is a great example that our pastor shared about a few weeks ago – extensive damage to his shoulder, but he persevered and is now sporting a Super Bowl ring on that hand. At the New Orleans press conference before the big game, Drew was asked about overcoming adversity. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" >He said, <i>“The injury happened in the last game of the 2005 season, my fifth year in San Diego in which I did not have a contract after that. All of a sudden here I am thrust into free agency two months after a right shoulder dislocation, which I was told by some doctors that I had a 25 percent chance of coming back and ever playing. Only two teams were interested in me in free agency to be the starting quarterback – Miami and New Orleans. That was a defining moment in my life and one that brought me to New Orleans with a sense that this is a calling for me, an opportunity that I have to not only come to a city and be a part of the rebuilding of the organization, city, community and region. This was an opportunity that really doesn’t come along for most people in their lifetime, and yet here it is staring me in the face. So it was much more than football and I felt it was destiny that God put me there for a reason. At times, God is going to put you in a position to wonder why this is happening to me or to us, and yet you know it’s happening for a reason. It’s there to make you stronger and to give the opportunity to accomplish something later on – and here we are.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style=";font-family:&quot;;" >So what is weakness?</span></b></span><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;color:red;" >An inability to do something; a lack of strength; things that are beyond our control or influence.</span><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style=";font-family:&quot;;" >Why would Paul boast about his weaknesses?</span></b></span><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;color:red;" >Paul boasts about the things that are out of his control, because it opens the way for him to experience the strength of God’s grace.</span><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style=";font-family:&quot;;" >How do we boast about our weaknesses?</span></b></span><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;color:red;" >It means that we learn the lessons that God intends for us throughout our period of weakness and share our stories with others as a means of encouragement and to point them towards God’s strength and sufficiency.</span><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style=";font-family:&quot;;" >Personal example</span></b></span><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" >:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" >I lost my job with the Guard last October, yet God is providing for us financially. Specifically, in the past <i>week</i> we’ve received:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" >-</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" >$2900 from National Guard selling back leave days that were thought to be lost.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" >-</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" >Over $10,000 in tax refunds.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" >-</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" >$7500 from someone we’ve never met who runs a charitable endowment and heard about our situation from a friend.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" >Did I do anything to earn this $20,000 gift? Well, maybe the taxes… but the point is that all of this came about at a time when I could do nothing for myself – when it was all we could do just to pay our bills each month and wonder if I would be able to stay in school and graduate this June. I was weak financially, and there were no good prospects on the horizon that indicated any kind of change. So am I boasting now? Well, yes –<i> but it’s not about me. </i>Instead, it’s about pointing to God and showing how He works in the midst of our weakness and inability. And when God makes us strong, He does so in order that we can help those around us who are weak. In our case, we were able to help provide scholarships for our church's Men’s Retreat and Youth Retreat.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" >So here’s what I want to leave you with, gentle readers:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" >-</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" >Weakness in some area is an <b><i>opportunity</i></b><i> </i>to see God’s strength and faithfulness.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" >-</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" >Weakness causes us to turn to God and <b><i>renews</i></b><i> </i>our faith in Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" >-</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" >The blessings and experiences we gain from our weakness <b><i>enables</i></b><i> </i>us to support and encourage others.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><u><span style=";font-family:&quot;;" >Your challenge</span></u></b></span><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" >: Identify at least one area of “weakness” in your life and pray that the Lord will teach you what He wants you to learn so that your faith may be strengthened and it may be added to your testimony.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style=";font-family:&quot;;" >GOD IS RARELY EARLY, NEVER LATE &amp; ALWAYS ON TIME</span></b></span><span style=";font-family:&quot;;font-size:130%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Dave Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02437432687237528664noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893456124370111452.post-82163883918028939442010-02-05T22:37:00.000-08:002010-02-05T23:03:52.160-08:00Thoughts on ForgivenessI've been having another discussion over on <a href="http://www.neptunuslex.com/2010/02/03/dadt/">Neptunus Lex</a>, this one dealing with the nature of salvation and forgiveness. This is interesting, as it comes close on the heels of my having recently finished a book by Andrew Farley titled <a href="http://www.thenakedgospel.com/"><strong>The Naked Gospel</strong></a> which profoundly challenged my thinking on the matter.<br /><br />I won't go into all the issues the book talks about, but the one that caught my attention was his section called "Cheating on Jesus" that deals with the subject of forgiveness.<br /><p>The issue at stake here – and it is a major one – is whether or not we are saved by grace, by keeping the law, or by some curious mix of the two. If it is by grace, then we must confront what it means to be truly forgiven by God. </p> <p>Under the old covenant (Abraham, Noah, Moses - up until Jesus’ death) righteousness was obtained through keeping the Law. If one sinned, the shedding of blood in the form of animal sacrifice was required to bring about atonement, for “<span style="font-style: italic;">without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness</span>” (Hebrews 9:22). This had to be done continually. They believed that being Jewish (God’s chosen people) was what made them part of God’s family, and that keeping the Law was what *kept* them in His family. If you didn’t keep the law, you were outside the faith.</p> <p>With Jesus’ death, his shed blood provided the perfect sacrifice for all of humanity – there was now a means by which I could be made right with God, if only I avail myself of the grace (<span style="font-style: italic;">gratia</span>) that He has freely (<span style="font-style: italic;">gratis</span>) provided. This offering on our behalf was a “once for all” proposition – Hebrews 9:25-26 tells us, “<span style="font-style: italic;">Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself </span><strong style="font-style: italic;">again and again,</strong><span style="font-style: italic;"> the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared </span><strong style="font-style: italic;">once for all</strong><span style="font-style: italic;"> at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.</span>” A few verses later we are told that “<span style="font-style: italic;">Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation </span><strong style="font-style: italic;">without reference to sin,</strong><span style="font-style: italic;"> to those that eagerly await him.</span>” </p> <p>The message of the cross is that my past, present and <strong>future</strong> sins have already been forgiven when I put my faith in Christ. That’s it. There’s no more forgiveness that’s going to be poured out – the full measure was already given 2000+ years ago. Do you still ask God to forgive you when you fall short or fail from time to time? If so, why? What good does your asking do when the act has already been done? It’s like me asking my wife to marry me each evening before we go to bed – my continual asking doesn’t change our marital status one whit. You’re either forgiven – <span style="font-style: italic;">and live in a continual state of forgiveness as a believer</span> – or you’re not. No middle ground that I can see. Attempting to add some works-based efforts on our part only serves to return us to bondage under the law.</p> <p>So let me ask you this: If you're a Christian, and you commit a sin, what is your standing before God? If you die before you confess that sin, where do you go? I don't believe that my sin (as a believer) separates me from God or breaks my fellowship with Him. If the Spirit lives in me - if I am supernaturally fused with him in my soul - how can I be separated from what is now part of myself? This does not mean that I am free to sin - Paul makes that quite clear several times - but the struggle between my godly nature and my flesh has no bearing on my salvation.</p>According to Dr. Doug Moo, “<span style="font-style: italic;">genuine faith…always and inevitably produces evidence of its existence in a life of righteous living.</span>” This is what James is talking about when he writes of the necessity of works as a natural result of one’s faith. Yet even though this is (or should be) the natural process of regeneration that follows true conversion, it is not in itself a necessity for salvation. Recall the criminal who was crucified on the cross next to Jesus – where were his “good works?” He had faith, and that was enough. To add works as a <span style="font-style: italic;">requirement </span>for salvation is to return to the Law that governed the Israelites under Moses – and we have been set free from that law through the shed blood of Christ.<p>Don’t get me wrong – I’m not saying that I don’t understand why people ask for forgiveness. I do; I did it for years. Confession is one thing; in confessing, we essentially agree with God that we are sinners and that we still do wrong things. But usually this is followed by asking for forgiveness, which makes sense in human relationships where a rift has been torn, fellowship has been broken, and forgiveness is necessary to repair/restore the relationship. </p> <p>With regards to us and God, I don’t believe that last step is necessary, at least from His point of view. Oh, we may still do it, and I don’t think it bothers him that we do – but I think it would be a mistake to think that our asking for forgiveness suddenly brings down this rain of grace, as though God were holding it back until we asked for it.</p> <p>The danger is that over time, we get into this pattern of confession/asking for forgiveness, and think that it’s the only way that we can get our slate “wiped clean” with God. We take what may be an understandable (yet wholly unnecessary) practice and elevate it to a <span style="font-style: italic;">necessity </span>– to the point where we <strong style="font-style: italic;">feel</strong><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>as though we’re not forgiven unless we’ve asked God for forgiveness. Now that quaint little habit begins growing into a millstone around our necks, and we preach to others that they should keep “short accounts” with God – as though He’s up there tracking our every sin and tallying it up on a celestial scorecard.<br /></p><p>What I’m proposing isn’t really all that radical – it’s what Paul &amp; the writer of Hebrews preached nearly two millenia ago:<br /></p><p>Salvation by faith.<br /></p><p>Forgiveness from God.<br /></p><p>Freedom in Christ.</p><strong>For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” -Ephesians 2:8-9</strong>Dave Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02437432687237528664noreply@blogger.com9